Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome (on ramp left) and
Chatchawal Supachayanont (on ramp right) set off this year’s Pattaya Car
Free Day event.
Warunya Thongrod
Bicycles ruled the day as city officials and cyclists
marked Pattaya Car Free Day with a rainy trek through the city.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome kicked off the week-long
“car free” event, although a protracted downpour left many realizing why
they drive instead of walk or bicycle. Still, cyclists persevered,
peddling through Pattaya for two hours to highlight the environmental
and health benefits of leaving automobiles at home.
Young BMX tricksters also entertained those attending
with flips and jumps on their custom cycles.
Created by the Europe-based World Carfree Network,
the environmental event is observed globally each Sept. 22. Pattaya,
with the Green Leaf Foundation, decided to hold its event a week early
in an attempt to raise more awareness in advance of the global day.
Backed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Thai
Hotels Association Eastern Region and the Pattaya Cycling Lovers Club,
Car Free Day is a chance to reduce gas consumption, air and noise
pollution, automobile traffic and accidents, Itthiphol said. Thailand
has participated since 2000, with each province encouraging residents to
leave their cars at home and enjoy outdoor activities.
“I hope that the cyclists present today will
encourage their relatives and friends to cycle since Pattaya has
projects to make ways for cyclists in Pattaya parks and around Pattaya
Beach soon to facilitate those using cycles for exercising and tourism,”
Itthiphol said.
